Former Brookside star Vince Earl battles rare disorder in Wirral hospital.

Former Brookside star Vince Earl battles rare disorder in Wirral hospital.

A much loved Merseyside actor was critically ill in hospital today battling a rare disorder.

Former Brookside star Vince Earl, who played Ron Dixon in the Liverpool-made soap, is being treated for Goodpasture’s syndrome – which affects just one in two million people.

His family said although the Birkenhead-born comedian was critically ill he was responding well to kidney dialysis and the treatment at Arrowe Park Hospital.

His son Stephen Earl, 32, said: “He is seriously ill and was very unwell for the first couple of days but he is quite bright.

“He’s been laughing and joking and has come to terms with it and he is ready to give it a good fight.

“Goodpasture’s syndrome is very rare but the success rate is pretty good so we are all hopeful.

“We’ve been told he will have to spend a minimum of three weeks in hospital but we don’t know when he will be able to come home.

“All the family are going to see him and he’s responding well to the treatment.”

The 66-year-old singer, who now lives in Chester with his wife Irene, was working as a stand-up comedian on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean when he became ill.

The grandad-of-five was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital last Wednesday before he was admitted to the Wirral hospital the following day.

Stephen said: “He started to feel unwell while he was on the cruise but his symptoms were the same as the flu.

“He became very unwell and he had pneumonia. He had to have dialysis because his kidneys were not working properly but they didn’t know the reason why.

“They made the actual diagnosis over the weekend.”

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Yes I read that about him in the paper today as well. I was a huge Brookside fan so know him well from appearing in that programme.

I must confess I've never heard of Goodpastures Syndrome before but like it said, it is a rare condition.

I hope he feels better soon and they are able to control the illness. I wish him all the best and will be keeping an eye on his progress.